Manchester City eye up Lazio star who has had a Paul Pogba-like impact on Serie A – report

Manchester City are already at work on identifying targets for next summer’s transfer window and one of the big priorities is likely to be replacing Yaya Touré, currently out of favour with Pep Guardiola and with his new one-year deal expiring in June 2018.

With Fernandinho also 33 by the time the season ends, City will want to bring in at least one midfielder capable of pulling the strings from a deeper position. It is thought that İlkay Gündoğan may be shifted into such a role when he is fully fit, but with Danilo Pereira of FC Porto linked, the likelihood is that Pep Guardiola will want more strength in depth.

And that has taken City’s scouts to Serie A, with Sportitalia reporting that Lazio sensation Sergej Milinković-Savić is on Pep’s radar and under his instruction, was watched by City scouts during Lazio’s 3-2 win over Vitesse on Thursday in the Europa League.

Milinković-Savić, 22, was born in Spain but represents Serbia internationally, having featured regularly for their under-21 team. Last season in Serie A, he scored 4 goals and registered 7 assists, making an impact that has been compared to Paul Pogba’s at Juventus.

For now, City seem to be only scouting and monitoring his performances, but if he continues to impress in Serie A and the Europa League, he could become one of Guardiola’s targets for 2018.